Westin Hotel allows for fast-tracked Lighthouse Point design

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Before the 12-story luxury apartment building takes shape at Lighthouse Point, Triangle Equities, the project's developer, has begun the design of its second phase of development, which includes a new Westin Hotel and restoration of historic structures on the site.

"As we progress with Phase I we've started our design of Phase II now that we have a hotel operator," said Elysa Goldman, director of development for Triangle Equities.

"By signing the operating agreement with Westin we were able to start the design process of the hotel and the Phase II hospitality component. We will be restoring four historical buildings, and one of them will be the base of the hotel," she added.

Other uses for the historic structures will include entertainment venues and eateries, said Goldman.

She said construction of Phase II is expected to start in fall 2017, around the same time Phase I construction is culminating, said Goldman.

PHASE I

Phase I includes the development of a 12-story residential tower with approximately 116 rental units of which 20 percent will be dedicated to affordable housing.

In addition, there will be a mix of unique retail shops and restaurants, including a gourmet supermarket, which are expected to be open by the first quarter of 2018, said Goldman.

Work on Phase I of the project began on Dec. 29, 2015. Since then, much excavation and foundation work has been completed. The project includes excavating close to 50,000 cubic yards of the site, said Goldman.

"Because of the MTA, we had a lot of foundation work to do. ... It (the Railway) runs through our site and underneath our site and splits it in two," said Goldman.

"We can't build a building above the railroad easement; we have to bridge over it basically. So there's tremendous coordination with the MTA. We have to make sure we aren't impacting the tunnel at all," she added.

LEASES

Earlier this year, Regus, a shared workspace provider, signed a 15-year lease to occupy approximately 30,000 square feet of the nearly 65,000-square-foot space dedicated to retail and office.

Additionally, more than an acre of waterfront public open space will be programmed for outdoor concerts, art exhibits, food festivals and other events, and an approximately 300-space valet parking garage will be added to the development.

PHASE II

In addition to the construction of the Westin Hotel, Phase II will include rehabilitation of the four historic structures, the historic wall, and multiple underground vaults that exist on the site.

The complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Triangle Equities said it plans to restore the property's "sense of history, while also incorporating the historic structures for modern uses."

This will allow for more than 23,000 square feet of restaurant, office and hospitality space. An additional 100 parking spots will be created as part of Phase II.

"The support of the borough president and all of Staten Island's elected officials has been so instrumental getting us to this point. This could not have happened without all their support," said Goldman.

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